Kathy Newnam, Darwin
The campaign against the federal government's planned nuclear dump in the Northern Territory is gathering pace.
Anti-nuclear campaigners in Darwin have begun to organise a coalition against the dump and are planning a public meeting in August. In Alice Springs, the campaign was launched on July 20 at an AliceAction meeting of 30 people.
Two of the proposed dump sites are close to Alice Springs — at Harts Range, 200 kilometres north east, and Mt Everand, 42 kilometres north west. AliceAction spokesperson Sarah Hoyal said: "Minister Nelson calls our home 'the middle of nowhere'. We may be a long way from Canberra, but when a whole region unites on an issue the federal government would be foolish to ignore us.
"Our town has nothing to gain from this dump ... we will not roll over and take the federal government imposing their nuclear waste problems on Alice Springs", she said. "They lied during the last election when they gave their 'absolute categorical assurance' that the dump would not be in the NT, and we can't trust them now.
"We are concerned that this dump will become an international radioactive waste depot and could also take Australia down the dangerous road of nuclear power ... We're ready for a long and colourful campaign."
AliceAction is organising an anti-dump protest on Hiroshima Day, August 6, in Todd Mall. A protest will be held in Darwin on August 7 at 6pm at the Mindil Beach markets (Casino end). To get involved phone (08) 8985 6631 in Darwin or Sarah Hoyal on 0413 390 023 in Alice Springs.
From Green Left Weekly, July 27, 2005.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.